Wildlife Promise » Birdshttp://blog.nwf.org
The National Wildlife Federation's blogTue, 03 Mar 2015 21:35:34 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.2Five Tips for Nesting Box Successhttp://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/five-tips-for-nesting-box-success/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/five-tips-for-nesting-box-success/#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:30:01 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=104349Read more >]]>As winter wanes and our thoughts turn to springtime, it’s time to think about nesting boxes for birds. Many cavity nesting birds scout out and select nest sites starting in late February through May, so now is the time to begin making preparations.

While you can purchase a nesting box from many stores (including from National Wildlife catalog), building your own is fun, educational, and often cheaper! If you buy a nesting box, make sure it’s not just a decorative one, which might not be used or worse, result in nestling mortality or be occupied by invasive exotic birds such as starlings.

Whether you decide build or to buy, follow the tips below to make sure that your nesting box is a success:

Nesting box with a predator block and good ventilation. Credit to Roger H. Goun

Quality first. You don’t want to live in a cardboard box covered in dangerous materials, and your feathered friends don’t want that either. The wood should be thick enough to insulate (5/8” minimum) and not treated with preservatives which may be toxic. Install drainage holes in the bottom and at ventilation holes the top so birds don’t try to raise their babies in a swamp.

Location, location, location. While various species have varying preferences for nesting box location, there are general guidelines that apply for all birds. Make sure to place your box so that birds have a clear flight path to the entrance. Avoid placing your box in direct sunlight, as that can make it too hot. The best position provides morning sunlight and shade in the afternoon. Make sure that it is at least 6 feet above ground to deter predators.

Beef up the security. Even if you do everything to make birds feel welcome, predators like raccoons, snakes, and domestic cats and invasive birds like house sparrows and European starlings can destroy your nest. To prevent this problem, don’t include perches with your box. Ensure that the entrance hole is no bigger than 1 1/8”, and if it is larger, check that box often to see if house sparrows have invaded. If you notice problematic species in your area, attach a predator block to the entrance hole or a piece of metal flashing to the nest-box roof. The predator block makes it so raccoons can’t reach in the box and grab the eggs or chicks, while the flashing prevents house sparrows from perching on the roof and deterring desired species. It’s also recommended to install a baffle around the pole to keep out pesky predators and squirrels.

Don’t forget to clean! Especially if you’ve used this nesting box before, make sure you’ve cleaned out last year’s nesting material as well as any critters that may have invaded over the winter. As soon as this spring’s birds head out, remove all nesting materials to make sure the nesting box remains pest free and increase the chances that another bird family might use it again.

Keep these tips in mind, and remember that not all nesting boxes will always be a success. Many birds prefer natural cavities in snags and logs. But with some patience, luck, and careful observation, you can increase the chances that some lucky birds will call your backyard home.

Get more tips on helping wildlife where you live, learn, work, play and worship from NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/five-tips-for-nesting-box-success/feed/2Weekly News Roundup: Happy 79th Birthday to the National Wildlife Federation!http://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/weekly-news-roundup-happy-79th-birthday-to-the-national-wildlife-federation/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/weekly-news-roundup-happy-79th-birthday-to-the-national-wildlife-federation/#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 19:49:05 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=103801Read more >]]>It all started in 1936 when our founder, Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, had a vision of a federation promoting conservation interests, encouraging social diversity and demanding action from Congress. Many years later, the National Wildlife Federation has blossomed into America’s largest conservation organization! Happy 79th Birthday, NWF!

In other news, beautiful shorebirds like the American Avocet are at risk! Their critical wetland habitat has been destroyed due to agricultural development. Sadly, if the U.S. Department of Agriculture procedures go through as proposed, more of the Avocet habitat might be drained or plowed under.

The third and final phase of the BP oil spill civil trial, which will determine how much the oil company will be required to pay in fines, concluded this week in New Orleans. BP could be ordered to pay up to $13.7 billion in Clean Water Act fines for its role in one of the largest oil disasters in U.S. history.

February 4 – On Monday, President Obama unveiled a $4 trillion proposed budget that would tap more than $3 billion in future oil and gas revenues from Gulf Coast states to pay for other national conservation priorities. This shift would divert monies from coastal restoration projects in Louisiana.

“We are encouraged by and committed to the elements of the President’s budget that take on climate change, support the development of clean energy, and fully fund the woefully underfunded Land and Water Conservation Fund and other crucial conservation initiatives. But we are disappointed by the budget’s proposed diversion of critically needed and currently dedicated funding for coastal Louisiana and the Mississippi River Delta.”

“Today’s executive order shows the administration is taking action on climate change in both the short term and the long term, adapting to the climate impacts already at our doorstep while cutting industrial carbon pollution,” said Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive of the National Wildlife Federation.

“Judith Kohler of the National Wildlife Federation cites example after example of public engagement in monument designation, and concludes that all the public, grassroots support would mean little if a president, who, after study and listening to community requests, would still have to win congressional approval… After all, congressional gridlock and ideological objections to conserving public lands are the reasons people to push for action under the Antiquities Act in the first place.”

“Weinstein’s photographic instincts kicked in, and she was able to capture the photo that made her a winner of the December–January “Your Best Shots” photo contest—a contest sponsored by the Ranger Rick magazine.”

“Both of the recent oil spills in the Yellowstone River were preventable. Yet oil spills will keep happening to communities all over the West until politicians on both sides of the aisle decide to take pipeline safety seriously and not just pay lip service to the changes needed in oversight and regulation of oil companies. Until then, we’re on our own.”

“Today, on the six-month anniversary of the algal bloom that resulted in more than 400,000 Toledo-area residents being without safe drinking water for three days, it is more critical than ever to make water quality a priority in the state,” said Frank Szollosi, of the National Wildlife Federation.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/weekly-news-roundup-happy-79th-birthday-to-the-national-wildlife-federation/feed/0Feeder Friends: A Few Birds You’ll Want to Meethttp://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/feeder-friends-a-few-birds-youll-want-to-meet/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/feeder-friends-a-few-birds-youll-want-to-meet/#commentsThu, 05 Feb 2015 22:03:27 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=103704Read more >]]>I remember my backyard growing up as a natural wonderland, flowers abuzz with bees, bugs under stones and squirrels chasing each other around. Yet, somehow, I don’t remember the birds! My fierce basketball games must have scared them away.

I’ve made up for lost time. The feeders at NWF’s HQ have inspired me to be a kid again, watching and learning. February is National Bird Feeding Month, and I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite feeder friends. Share which species you’ve met after offering food (feeders or native plants) for birds in your yard!

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

This bird is a common visitor to hummingbird feeders and flowers. Don’t let their size fool you, rufous hummingbirds are extremely territorial and feisty. They’ve been observed chasing off other hummingbird species and chipmunks!

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Recently I learned that the black markings across the blue jay’s face and throat vary significantly. In fact, it may help them recognize each other! Blue jays prefer tray or hopper feeders, which are effective for large bird species or to accommodate several birds feeding at once.

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

These bright beauties switch their wardrobe twice a year, the only finch species to do so. As strict vegetarians, American goldfinches can be lured to your yard with native plants such as sunflowers and thistles. They’re also happy to eat seeds that fall to the ground from your feeders!

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/02/feeder-friends-a-few-birds-youll-want-to-meet/feed/0It’s for the Birds! Certifying Baltimore as a Community Habitathttp://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/its-for-the-birds-certifying-baltimore-as-a-community-habitat/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/its-for-the-birds-certifying-baltimore-as-a-community-habitat/#commentsWed, 28 Jan 2015 19:26:35 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=103513Read more >]]>For years Baltimore has been known as Birdland and now, we can make it official. Baltimore plans to B’More Wild, and bird-friendly, by becoming certified as an NWF Community Wildlife Habitat®- the largest along the Chesapeake Bay. So what does this mean? It means Baltimore is committed to greening streets, backyards, schools, businesses and places of worship in a way that’s wildlife friendly.

Students and volunteers create a rain garden at John Eager Howard Elementary School.

Schools, backyards, community and business sites each certify the same way. All must include the four elements of habitat- food, water, cover and places to raise their young. The Community Wildlife Habitat® program encourages sustainable gardening practices designed to increase native plantings, conserve water and eliminate pesticide use. It also provides a platform for the city to address important challenges like stormwater pollution, pollinator decline and invasive species.

Two pollinator-friendly gardens are planted at Baltimore City Recreation and Park’s Administration Building in Druid Hill Park.

Creating inviting urban green spaces brings neighbors together to tackle community projects. This past year, NWF hosted garden installation days at schools and parks to help teach volunteers gardening techniques. Through support from the Abell Foundation and NWF staff, residents from the Reservoir Hill neighborhood installed about 300 native plants to create a Schoolyard Habitat® and rain garden at John Eager Howard Elementary School and planted two pollinator-friendly gardens at Baltimore City Recreation and Park’s Administration Building in Druid Hill Park.

So how can you help? It all starts at home. Certify your backyard and then enjoy the birds and butterflies. Don’t forget to get your neighbors involved, too. One yard certified is great, but it’s even better when several adjacent yards provide the resources wildlife need. Many species need areas larger than a single lot can provide. When communities come together to certify backyards, schools, businesses and places of worship to create an NWF Community Wildlife Habitat®, wildlife and Baltimore residents both win.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/its-for-the-birds-certifying-baltimore-as-a-community-habitat/feed/0Love is in the Air: Courtship Behavior in Backyard Birdshttp://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/love-is-in-the-air-courtship-behavior-in-backyard-birds/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/love-is-in-the-air-courtship-behavior-in-backyard-birds/#commentsWed, 21 Jan 2015 14:25:09 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=103213Read more >]]>February is the month of love, and not just for those who celebrate with a Valentine’s Day card and a box of chocolates. As spring approaches you may be observing some interesting behaviors exhibited by your backyard birds.

Why do birds use courtship behavior?

Courtship behavior is primarily used to attract a receptive mate. Birds will perform a variety of displays in order to demonstrate strength and health. This allows for the potential mate to ensure that they are selecting the best of the best! Once a potential mate has been established, these strange behaviors can also let suitors know that their mate is spoken for.

Types of courtship

Singing: This ritual is by far the most noticeable behavior exhibited by birds come spring. The intricacy and variety of song shows a potential mate the degree of maturity and intelligence. Males will often be seen singing to attract the attention of a female.

Pay close attention to the song. Do you notice a difference between the song heard in winter as opposed to that in spring? Compared with any other time of the year, songs heard during breeding season tend to differ in complexity and length.

Displays or Dancing: Physical movements and dancing such as wing flaps and head dips are used to attract attention. In some species only the males will perform and the females will observe.

Males can sometimes be seen in a group engaging in competitive displays to perhaps entice a female. There are specific species, such as the Greater Sage Grouse, that take part in these displays which is known as lek mating.

Touching and Preening: While most bird species preen their feathers several times a day to keep them healthy, preening can also be used in courtship. Mutual preening or allopreening is used in courtship to bond mating pairs.

You also may notice your backyard birds simply perched closely next to each other, perhaps leaning somewhat on their mate. It may seem modest, but some species show their affection by a simple touch or lean.

Feeding: Males will sometimes be seen offering potential mates food in order to show that they can provide for a family. Some birds can even be seen placing food inside their mate’s mouth. This is thought to prove to the mate that they can directly feed nestlings.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/love-is-in-the-air-courtship-behavior-in-backyard-birds/feed/16 Birds That Are Champion Flyershttp://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/6-birds-that-are-champion-flyers/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/6-birds-that-are-champion-flyers/#commentsSun, 11 Jan 2015 16:34:00 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=103087Read more >]]>Today marks the anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s solo flight across the Pacific. It seemed only appropriate to compile a few birds with record flights and champion abilities. Like Amelia, these birds are nothing short of impressive. Which avians would you add to the list?

Fastest (Gravity Assisted) Flight: Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine falcons are the fastest dive-bombing birds. When they stoop to catch prey, they reach speeds of up to 200 miles (320 km) per hour!

This is a nesting adult peregrine falcon. The background is the Hudson River. The shot was taken from a cliff ledge about 525 feet above river level. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Herb Houghton.

Support our work to protect migratory birds and other wildlife by becoming a member of the National Wildlife Federation.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/6-birds-that-are-champion-flyers/feed/0Weekly News Roundup: Bald Eagle Watch Month is here!http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/weekly-news-roundup-bald-eagle-watch-month-is-here/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/weekly-news-roundup-bald-eagle-watch-month-is-here/#commentsFri, 09 Jan 2015 19:11:53 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=103078Read more >]]>January is Bald Eagle Watch Month! Throughout the month of January, tons of wildlife lovers step outside to admire the beauty of our national bird. Looking for the best places to view them this winter? Take a look at our top 10 recommended watching spots across the country!

What’s happening at the National Wildlife Federation this week?

President Obama Must Stand Strong for Wildlife, Say No to Keystone XL

January 9 – The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass a bill today that would short-circuit the federal review of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and force its approval. Meanwhile, the Nebraska Supreme Court vacated a lower court’s decision that had nullified the controversial Keystone XL pipeline route through Nebraska. While a majority of justices ruled with landowners against Keystone, a supermajority of five votes was needed.

Park County, where South Park is located, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and conservation and sportsmen’s groups asked the land board to not lease the parcels in the James Mark Jones State Wildlife Area. They and the land board staff noted the county and several other public and private interests are working with the Bureau of Land Management to map out the best approach to oil and gas development on public lands to avoid harming South Park’s watershed and important fisheries and wildlife habitat.

NWF in the News:

“American offshore wind power is finally within reach,” says Catherine Bowes, senior manager for climate and energy at NWF. “With areas offshore that can power 5 million homes currently available for leasing, we’ve reached a critical moment for state leader to seize this golden opportunity and create a clean energy future powered by American workers that can protect our wildlife and communities from the dangers of climate change.”

Jan Goldman-Carter, NWF’s senior manager, Wetlands and Water Resources, said: “Throughout its 20-year history, the Clean Water Network has been a key partner in National Wildlife Federation’s work to educate and mobilize concerned citizens to conserve America’s wetlands, lakes and streams through the Clean Water Act and related state permitting programs. We look forward to working closely with the network to advance protections for the nation’s waters in the years to come.”

“According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), water in the winter is just as important for the birds that you are feeding as it during the dog days of summer. Even when there is plenty of snow, it costs birds precious calories and body heat to melt frozen water. Backyards that provide fresh, clean, liquid water during the winter tend to host more birds. Water is about as big an attraction as feeders.”

“National Wildlife Federation officials have asked participants in each state to count eagles along standard routes to provide data trends. The goal is to index the total wintering bald eagle population in the lower 48 states to determine their distribution and to identify areas of important winter habitat.”

“The recommendations come from the National Wildlife Federation. David Muth, director of the federation’s Gulf Restoration Program, said the focus is on projects that would benefit all five Gulf Coast states.”

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/weekly-news-roundup-bald-eagle-watch-month-is-here/feed/0Tips for Winter Bird Feedinghttp://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/tips-for-winter-bird-feeding/
http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/tips-for-winter-bird-feeding/#commentsWed, 07 Jan 2015 18:24:47 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=102831Read more >]]>As temperatures drop across much of the country, it’s time to put more thought into what your backyard birds are eating. Providing high-quality food during winter not only entices more birds to visit your yard, it also may help them survive the season.

“Bad weather like blizzards and ice storms can make it hard to find food, and cold can take its toll,” says Sally Roth, author of The Backyard Bird Feeder’s Bible. “A well-fed bird is a warmer bird, better able to withstand winter rigors.” Roth recommends providing “a big spread of visible food and a variety to suit all appetites”—including seeds, cracked corn, nuts and suet—to bring in the first visitors. “After birds find your feeders, their presence and activity will attract others,” she says.

Winter also is the time to switch to more appropriate cold-weather foods. Birds need rich sources of fat and calories to combat low temperatures and severe storms. Suet, nuts and high-oil seeds such as nyjer, black-oil sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts are all great choices. “If you can find a way to keep squirrels away from them, mixed nuts are like crack for birds,” says Sharon Stiteler, founder of Birdchick.com and author of 1001 Secrets Every Birder Should Know. “They love the stuff, even more than black-oil sunflower seeds.”

Even in cold weather, you should clean feeders regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria that can cause disease. “Dirty bird feeders, especially during a warm spell when the snow melts, are breeding grounds for disease and could wipe out a whole flock of pine siskins,” Stiteler says. “It’s very important to keep a feeding station clean and to remove old seed that has been getting wet on the ground.” If possible, rotate feeders so dirty ones can be brought inside for cleaning without reducing available food. Make cleaning and refilling feeders more convenient by keeping a path to them clear, even after heavy snowstorms, or relocate your feeding station to a sheltered deck or patio that won’t be used in winter.

Don’t forget bird food that nature provides. “Feeders should be seen as supplements to the natural foods you provide by cultivating native plants,” says NWF Naturalist David Mizejewski. Even during winter, seed-eating birds such as goldfinches and juncos will flock to the dried flower heads of aster, black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, sunflowers and other plants. These wildflowers’ stalks also may house insects for birds that need a little protein.

Make sure to leave berries and other fruit on your native trees and bushes. Birds ranging from robins, cardinals, juncos, waxwings and mockingbirds to wild turkey and grouse will feast on these fruits throughout the cold months. And if you’ve been smart enough to leave your fallen leaves on the ground since autumn, the decaying leaf litterwill provide a feast of insects, seeds, nuts and other treats for your backyard birds.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/tips-for-winter-bird-feeding/feed/198 Wonky and Wonderful Woodpecker Adaptationshttp://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/8-wonky-and-wonderful-woodpecker-adaptations/
http://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/8-wonky-and-wonderful-woodpecker-adaptations/#commentsMon, 15 Dec 2014 20:05:47 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=102422Read more >]]>Each winter I’m absolutely thrilled to see woodpeckers in the woods of Virginia. Woodpeckers are a welcome part of my cold weather hikes, when wildlife sightings become more rare. I’ve had a few looming curiosities about these birds. For example, how do they hammer trees all day without brain damage? Since they don’t sing, how do they communicate? It turns out that the answers lie in a few incredible adaptations that help woodpeckers survive.

1. Chisel-billed

Woodpeckers are often characterized as “chisel-billed” because they peck into living or dead wood to find grubs or build a nest. Cells in the tips of their beaks are constantly replaced, preventing them from wearing down over time.

2. Hole Shape

You might be able to tell which species of woodpecker was around by the shape of the holes left in trees. Pileated woodpeckers create a rectangular shape, which you can compare to the sapsucker pattern below.

3. Tongue

Woodpecker tongues, however, vary based on their diet. Some species have a tongue that is longer than their bill in order to extract insects from a hole. Woodpeckers also have a lengthened hyoid apparatus (bones, muscle, cartilage connected to the tongue), allowing their tongue to extend incredible lengths. Red-bellied woodpeckers, for example, have a tongue extending up to three times the length of its bill! Meanwhile, sapsuckers have a shorter tongue with a brush-like tip to lap up sap from trees.

5. Feet

Their strong “zygodactyl” feet are specifically adapted to cling and grasp onto trees. Two toes face forward, and two face backward. Most songbirds have three forward-facing toes, and one backward-facing.

Downy woodpecker using its specially adapted feet to hang onto the tree, even upside-down. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant William Osterloh.

9. Eyes

With all the debris flying around as woodpeckers chisel, goggles would be helpful. Instead, they have a translucent third eyelid (called a nictitating membrane), which can be drawn across the eye for protection, while maintaining visibility. It also cleanses as it moves across the eye.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/8-wonky-and-wonderful-woodpecker-adaptations/feed/15Seven Red Birds for the Holidayshttp://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/seven-red-birds-for-the-holidays/
http://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/seven-red-birds-for-the-holidays/#commentsWed, 10 Dec 2014 20:43:30 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=102386Read more >]]>Red is a color associated with Christmas, Yule and the winter holiday season in general.

Here in North America, we don’t have too many wildlife species that are red. There are a few reptiles that have a bit of red on them, but the species that sport this vibrant color over all or most of their bodies are pretty much are all birds.

Here are seven of the most cheerily red birds that might show up in your backyard or community.

Click on their names to learn more about them, and hare your sightings and photos of red birds in the comments section below!